Thanks! Actually I ran one more run session today, just for kicks to see if I could get any quicker before coming back to LA. I ran 0.2 seconds faster. Couldn't get sub 1:40 on this trip. I tried though! Anyway, I learned a lot about Laguna Seca and really enjoyed it. I look forward to visiting there again before too long.

Went to Laguna Seca for the first time. It was quite hot for that area--over 90 degrees. Wow---what a wild track. First of all, it's the absolute smoothest pavement track I've ever been to. I dialed the JRZ's up to one click from full stiff and they were totally happy. The hills are intense. The corkscrew is like a blind roller coaster ride. There's a lot going on there. Quite fun! Video of the lap is below.

Went to Laguna Seca for the first time. It was quite hot for that area--over 90 degrees. Wow---what a wild track. First of all, it's the absolute smoothest pavement track I've ever been to. I dialed the JRZ's up to one click from full stiff and they were totally happy. The hills are intense. The corkscrew is like a blind roller coaster ride. There's a lot going on there. Quite fun! Video of the lap is below.

Thanks! Actually I ran one more run session today, just for kicks to see if I could get any quicker before coming back to LA. I ran 0.2 seconds faster. Couldn't get sub 1:40 on this trip. I tried though! Anyway, I learned a lot about Laguna Seca and really enjoyed it. I look forward to visiting there again before too long.

I hit about 124mph before I start braking into turn 2. I think you should be able to hit at least 130. Don't lift through turn 2. I think that's the only place on the whole track where I'm faster than you. Haha. (Though harry's lap timer could just be a bit off in your video)

I hit about 124mph before I start braking into turn 2. I think you should be able to hit at least 130. Don't lift through turn 2. I think that's the only place on the whole track where I'm faster than you. Haha. (Though harry's lap timer could just be a bit off in your video)

Thanks for the tip. Yes, you are right. I could have stayed on the gas longer, but that blind hill was unnerving given my newness at the track. Also, did you watch what was ahead of me at the end of the lap video? No added comfort there..... With no aero on the car, that little weightless moment at the crest is a bit odd----something you need to get used to. But I will keep your advice in mind next time.

Thanks for the tip. Yes, you are right. I could have stayed on the gas longer, but that blind hill was unnerving given my newness at the track. Also, did you watch what was ahead of me at the end of the lap video? No added comfort there..... With no aero on the car, that little weightless moment at the crest is a bit odd----something you need to get used to. But I will keep your advice in mind next time.

Yea that's always scary. I haven't seen a car spin there while I've been on the track, but a lot of cars start braking right when they go past turn 1 and it can be scary when I'm going through 1 at full throttle and see a car putting along right on the other side of the crest.

Thanks! Actually I ran one more run session today, just for kicks to see if I could get any quicker before coming back to LA. I ran 0.2 seconds faster. Couldn't get sub 1:40 on this trip. I tried though! Anyway, I learned a lot about Laguna Seca and really enjoyed it. I look forward to visiting there again before too long.

It was a fun weekend Chin event at Barber. I was trying out a new set of BFG R1Ss for the first time. Tires did great despite hot track temps. Had a lot of fun in this session chasing down the "rabbit", a modded 996 TT, for many laps. He had larger turbos and intercoolers, r-comps, and AWD, but was a little heavy (cab). He would obviously pull on me on the straights, but I could consistently outbreak him and hold my own in the twisties. I actually dropped my best lap time by over 3.5 sec (!). The last lap was the best at 1:42.20. ...Must have been the tires . Overall a great weekend.

That track looks great. Nice driving.
BFG R1s are great tires. I run them on my 135i and they are much better than michelin pilot cups that i chose for m3. The only thing they cycle out sooner and dont last as long. I think i would have been at least 2-3 sec faster at WGI w/R1s. Tires make huge difference.
Your best lap time was improved by 3.5 sec? Nice. What tires were you running before?

That track looks great. Nice driving.
BFG R1s are great tires. I run them on my 135i and they are much better than michelin pilot cups that i chose for m3. The only thing they cycle out sooner and dont last as long. I think i would have been at least 2-3 sec faster at WGI w/R1s. Tires make huge difference.
Your best lap time was improved by 3.5 sec? Nice. What tires were you running before?

Yeah, Barber is a fun track, no long straights, very technical though. I was running NT01s there last April, with best lap 1:45.96. Now, most all of my clean laps were 1:42-1:44 range, pretty consistently.

I worry about the tire life of the R1Ss. Hoping to get at least 6 days out of them. We'll see....

I just got a new set of R1s from tire rack (heat sycled) for 135i. This is my 3rd set and i have to say that, when i used the first set, i didnt heat sycle them and they didnt last as long vs heat sycled sets. My 135i is about 400 pounds lighter than E92M3, so expect 6-8 track days out of them.

Klammer,
I will be instructing with GVC. Did you get accepted? School sold out super quick 2 months ago. It was amazing how quickly it filled up. Got the second to last instructor slot.

Pointers? Since its your first time there, learn the line and get consistent. To be fast at the Glen takes a leap of faith as it can be beautifully intimidating. The most important turns for quick laps there are T1, the esses, T10 (esp. T10. A fast run through that one will be very, very intimidating) and T11 (almost anti climatic after t10).

Leo,
For most events so far this year I ran a square stock wheel set up using 18x9,5s all around with no spacers. Used street tires and stock wheels to let my wife learn the car and track after a 5 year hiatus. With the stock wheels the gap between caliper and wheel is about 3mm.

Last week finally put her on BFG R1's on 18x10 Apex ARC8's. Huge room between calipers and wheels there.

That is fast! Will you be up there with GVCC sep 20-22? Any pointers? Will be there on AD08's and would just be hoping to break 2:20. Will be my first time out there.

As tiato said, if its your first time there, just take it easy initially, learn your lines and dont worry about lap times. This track is very fast and demands full consentration at all times.
The key to be fast is not to be intimidated by high speed and almost no room for error.
Most important turns are T1 and T11.
Most intimidating corners are T6 and T10. Do not lift in the esses.
T10 can be taken at close to 90 mph with our cars, but it takes big balls to do that lol. Most ppl brake there before the turn in, but Aaron Povoledo told me not to brake, just lift and dont go over the curb exiting that corner.

tiato, how do you like MCS suspension? My mechanic told me about this a few month ago. He has a race shop and is a club racer, said most of his clients are installing MCS single adjustables.

MCS singles are great. Running 500f and 800r spring rates. On the road with those springs the ride with rebound turned down to 3 is very, very tolerable. Pitch is stock like. Smaller, sharper bumps are noticeable but would also be with stock shock / performance spring combo.

Turn rebound up and roll is controlled amazingly well. Turn it way up and it almost disappears. Just a touch of rear roll after turn in as the weight transfers. The weight helps the rotate and it settles down 1-2 car lengths before the apex. Last week at the glen I made one click of rebound adjustment and I felt it.

Was going to set my sway bars to full stiff to get more spring rate but I am liking the medium setting.

In the front the dampers are mated to GC street camber plates ( no caster adj) and in the rear to GC shock mounts.

Klammer,
I will be instructing with GVC. Did you get accepted? School sold out super quick 2 months ago. It was amazing how quickly it filled up. Got the second to last instructor slot.

Pointers? Since its your first time there, learn the line and get consistent. To be fast at the Glen takes a leap of faith as it can be beautifully intimidating. The most important turns for quick laps there are T1, the esses, T10 (esp. T10. A fast run through that one will be very, very intimidating) and T11 (almost anti climatic after t10).

Leo,
For most events so far this year I ran a square stock wheel set up using 18x9,5s all around with no spacers. Used street tires and stock wheels to let my wife learn the car and track after a 5 year hiatus. With the stock wheels the gap between caliper and wheel is about 3mm.

Last week finally put her on BFG R1's on 18x10 Apex ARC8's. Huge room between calipers and wheels there.

This sounds like Mario.. Is it you?

I'm wait listed to instruct at wgi that weekend. Sucks. Ill be up with other orgs tho.

Klammer,
I will be instructing with GVC. Did you get accepted? School sold out super quick 2 months ago. It was amazing how quickly it filled up. Got the second to last instructor slot.

Pointers? Since its your first time there, learn the line and get consistent. To be fast at the Glen takes a leap of faith as it can be beautifully intimidating. The most important turns for quick laps there are T1, the esses, T10 (esp. T10. A fast run through that one will be very, very intimidating) and T11 (almost anti climatic after t10).

Leo,
For most events so far this year I ran a square stock wheel set up using 18x9,5s all around with no spacers. Used street tires and stock wheels to let my wife learn the car and track after a 5 year hiatus. With the stock wheels the gap between caliper and wheel is about 3mm.

Last week finally put her on BFG R1's on 18x10 Apex ARC8's. Huge room between calipers and wheels there.

This sounds like Mario.. Is it you?

I'm wait listed to instruct at wgi that weekend. Sucks. Ill be up with other orgs tho.

Had a pretty good Monday and Tuesday at VIR. Improved my all time best by 5 seconds. Ran a 2:19.640. Almost as fast as Spec E30s I believe their avg. times are in 2:18s and lap record is 2:16 something.